Wei-Hsin Chen , Wei-Cheng Bai , Ding Luo , Argel A. Bandala , Xiao-Dong Wang , Anh Tuan Hoang
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
With the advancement of energy harvesting methods, the power level consumed by electronic circuits and sensors has been reduced so that self-sufficiency in power can be achieved, and the use of flexible thermoelectric generators to supply electrical energy is one of these methods. In this study, the manufacture of flexible thermoelectric generators is successfully developed and verified using a numerical method. The process follows the sandwich method of the conventional thermoelectric module and utilizes two different elastomers (polydimethylsiloxane and Eco-Flex) and thin copper sheets. Among the nine cases designed by the Taguchi method, the maximum tensile strength of the elastomer is 0.967 MPa, stemming from the operation conditions of 6 min stirring time, 85 °C heating temperature, and 3 h heating time. This strength is substantially higher than those of the other eight cases. The open-circuit voltage of the manufactured flexible thermoelectric generator with an internal resistance of 1.5 Ω is 0.011 V. The output power under a temperature difference of 75 °C is 11 μW. After blending graphene into polydimethylsiloxane, the elastomer’s thermal conductivity at 370 K rises by 9.6 folds. This results in the output power being lifted to 0.0515 W (75 °C temperature difference), accounting for an amplification of 4,681 times. Numerical simulations are also performed to aid in figuring out the detailed performance of the flexible thermoelectric generator. The errors between numerical simulations and experiments are between 4.6 % and 5.2 %, showing the reliability of the numerical predictions. The fabricated flexible thermoelectric generators can be practically used for green power generation by harvesting industrial low-temperature waste heat and biothermal energy, potentially driving sensors on industrial devices, the human body, and animals.
期刊介绍:
Energy Conversion and Management: X is the open access extension of the reputable journal Energy Conversion and Management, serving as a platform for interdisciplinary research on a wide array of critical energy subjects. The journal is dedicated to publishing original contributions and in-depth technical review articles that present groundbreaking research on topics spanning energy generation, utilization, conversion, storage, transmission, conservation, management, and sustainability.
The scope of Energy Conversion and Management: X encompasses various forms of energy, including mechanical, thermal, nuclear, chemical, electromagnetic, magnetic, and electric energy. It addresses all known energy resources, highlighting both conventional sources like fossil fuels and nuclear power, as well as renewable resources such as solar, biomass, hydro, wind, geothermal, and ocean energy.